Sloan plenty familiar with Bulls newcomers

Hall of Fame coach had Boozer, Korver, Brewer in Utah

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — One could forgive 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Sloan if he gets a tad confused next Feb. 9.

That's the first meeting between the Bulls and Jazz, and in signing Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer, the Bulls took three of the main players Sloan coached in Utah in recent seasons.

"Nobody knows how their team will be, but I like those players," Sloan said. "Boozer had some injuries, but he was a terrific player for us. Boozer has a great understanding of the game. Korver can shoot it obviously. And Ronnie is a very athletic guy who can handle the ball. He got an opportunity to play and helped us win games."

Sloan's No. 4 hangs in the United Center rafters from his gritty Bulls playing days. He offered a moving speech last September when he entered the Hall as a coach along with Jazz great John Stockton.

He's back this year for Karl Malone's induction but never lets the focus of next season waver.

Traveling party: The Bulls were well-represented at Thursday night's Hall of Fame dinner, even with Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf committed to a charity function, Executive Vice President John Paxson attending a wedding and former coach Phil Jackson remaining in Montana.

Layups: Pippen is the fourth Hall of Famer drafted by former general manager Jerry Krause, joining Sloan, Earl Monroe and Wes Unseld. ... Comcast SportsNet will re-broadcast the 1994 NBA All-Star game at 7 p.m. Saturday. Pippen won the most valuable player award.